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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lawyers for Michael Jackson and a key creditor are in talks to keep the pop star from defaulting on $200 million in loans secured by his prized stake in the Beatles' song catalogue, an attorney for the singer said on Monday.

A default on the loans, which come due on Tuesday and are held by the Fortress Investment Group would allow the New York private equity fund to seize Jackson's 50-percent interest in Beatles publishing rights valued at some $500 million.

The catalogue, containing more than 200 Beatles tunes that include such classics as "Yesterday," is jointly owned by Jackson and Sony Corp. through Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Jackson bought publishing rights to the catalogue for about $48 million two decades ago at the height of his career.

Brent Ayscough, a civil lawyer for Jackson, told Reuters that representatives for the 47-year-old entertainer and Fortress were working to renegotiate terms of the loans to give Jackson more time to avoid default.

And he suggested that the possibility of imminent foreclosure on Jackson's stake in Sony/ATV was unlikely.

"There no doomsday, or anything like that," Ayscough said. "Nothing's going to happen tomorrow. ... At the moment people are still talking." He said a deal could be reached as early as this week.

He said Sony, which music industry experts believe is eager to acquire Jackson's share of the catalogue, also is a party to the talks.

Representatives of Fortress, which manages about $5 billion in private equity capital, could not immediately be reached for comment. A spokeswoman for Sony declined to discuss the matter.

According to prosecution testimony during his sex-abuse trial earlier this year, Jackson had borrowed heavily against his assets, including $200 million secured by his stake in Sony/ATV. Those loans, first provided by Bank of America Corp., were later sold to Fortress.

Jackson, who was acquitted of all charges by a California jury in June, is currently living in Bahrain in the Middle East.

Rights to the Beatles music passed to the conglomerate ATV through its purchase of the band's publishing company, Northern Songs, in 1969.

Jackson in turn acquired the 4,000-song catalogue, including the Beatles titles, when he bought ATV from the late Australian tycoon Robert Holmes a Court in August 1985. Ten years later, Jackson cut his stake in the catalogue to 50 percent after merging ATV with Sony's publishing. Jackson also kept a 50-percent stake in new songs added to the collection.

The Sony/ATV catalogue also includes songs like Bob Dylan's classic "Blowin' in the Wind" and the works of such artists as Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks. But the Beatles' rights account for an estimated two-thirds of the collection's value.

Industry experts say the catalogue is one of the most treasured in the world, especially since the recent explosion in music licensing for media ranging from movies and television ads to cellphone ringtones and video games.

Source:Yahoo..

Thriller is named best music video Sunday December 11,2005..
Michael Jackson's Thriller has been named the favourite music video of all time.

The scary scenes beat competition from Eminem's Stan and Madonna's Like a Prayer.

Robbie Williams' Rock DJ made fourth place, followed by Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer.

When Thriller came out in 1983 it was the first big budget music video or short film, featuring all the latest special effects of the time.

The list of most memorable videos was voted for by the British public.

Vikki Timmons, spokeswomen for digital music channel The Box, which is broadcasting the video countdown, said: "Thriller was an instant hit in 1983 when it was released and it was well ahead of its time.

"It's amazing to think that although there have been huge advances in technology and some amazing new music videos over the past few years, Thriller still tops the list."

More than 7,000 votes were cast in The Box's search for the top 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time.

Source: Yahoo Entertainment News http://uk.news.yahoo.com/11122005/34...sic-video.html

Official Statement From Raymone Bain FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2005 STATEMENT REGARDING MICHAEL JACKSON Raymone K. Bain, Personal spokesperson and publicist for Mr. Michael Jackson, releases the following statement: “Michael Jackson has been working with several artists recording his Katrina Relief song, and with me all week, including today. He is doing fine. I have never seen him happier or healthier. “Whomever these individuals are who are intent on disseminating false information throughout the media regarding Mr. Jackson, should begin hiring good attorneys. Likewise, the few irresponsible journalists who continuously rely on these ‘sources,’ and report this false information. “Mr. Jackson’s tolerance level has come to an end. The Green light that people have thought they have had to willfully impugn Michael Jackson’s character and integrity has now become Red.

Pop star Michael Jackson's family fears his pill popping has spun "out of control" again and they're making plans to fly to Bahrain to stage an "intervention" rescue, the Daily News has learned. "The family is in a state of emergency. They consider it a life-or-death situation," a source close to the family told The News yesterday. Brother Randy Jackson reportedly is leading the drive to get Michael into rehab after fielding a long-distance call for help from Grace Rwaramba, the nanny to Jackson's children. "Michael is binging again. Grace basically said she can't handle him alone," the family source said. "The family is in a tailspin." Randy and other kin have asked pop princess Janet Jackson to finance the costly rescue mission. Michael Jackson, 47, has been holed up in Bahrain since shortly after his acquittal on child-molestation charges last June. The singer's rep, Raymone Bain, called the report "a total lie" and claimed Jackson "was on the phone as we speak" directing other musical artists in an L.A. recording studio. "He is clear-headed and articulate. He is not on drugs. It's false," Bain said. The King of Pop recently turned up in a ladies room in a Bahrain shopping mall wearing a women's head scarf. His rep said it was all a "mistake." The tarnished pop idol reportedly has popped the anti-anxiety drug Xanax as well as potent painkillers in recent years, sources say. "It's a sad, sad story, and if this is how his life ends, it couldn't be more tragic," said former Jackson family pal Stacy Brown, who chronicled the singer's past drug woes in "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask." The singer went to rehab at least once following 1993 child molestation allegations, and he reportedly resisted a family intervention attempt in New York in December 2001. "He told them, 'I'll be dead in a year - leave me alone,'" the family source told The News. Source: New York Daily News

Michael Jackson is the King Of Pop. VISIONARY — THE VIDEO SINGLES will reinforce his iconic status with fans and the media alike, focusing on the groundbreaking music and visual performances of this legend.

Each week over a 5 month period Sony BMG will release 20 of Michael Jackson’s greatest singles. Each single will be issued as a Dual Disc allowing not only his most popular singles to be collected but also their accompanying videos.

This new technology allowing CD and DVD content on one disc is the perfect medium for an artist whose music, videos and love of innovation is renowned. In yet another landmark in Michael’s career he will become the first performer EVER to release a single on Dual Disc.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Quick facts...

• Michael Jackson worked on the VISIONARY project as Executive Producer, giving final approval on the music & video editing and even packaging design
• The first CD single is released with the collector's Box on January 23rd (United Kingdom)
• The singles will be chart eligible in the United Kingdom

  

• Each single is a Dual Disc - featuring a standard CD format on one side and a DVD format on the other
• When all 20 CD singles are combined, they form a giant single image of Michael.

Source:mjni..

As part of the Sony promotion for 2006, the following Michael Jackson singles will be released to co-incide with the Sony BMG Singles Collectors Box. Release dates (UK): 16/01/06 - Thriller: Ltd Edition Box: Dual Disc 16/01/06 - Dont Stop Til You Get Enough Dual Disc 23/01/06 - Rock With You Dual Disc 30/01/06 - Billie Jean Dual Disc 06/02/06 - Beat It Dual Disc 13/02/06 - Bad Dual Disc 20/02/06 - The Way You Make Me Feel Dual Disc 27/02/06 - Dirty Diana Dual Disc 06/03/06 - Smooth Criminal Dual Disc 13/03/06 - Leave Me Alone Dual Disc 20/03/06 - Black Or White Dual Disc 27/03/06 - Remember The Time Dual Disc 03/04/06 - In The Closet Dual Disc 10/04/06 - Jam Dual Disc 17/04/06 - Heal The World Dual Disc 24/04/06 - You Are Not Alone Dual Disc 01/05/06 - Earth Song Dual Disc 08/05/06 - They Dont Care About Us Dual Disc 15/05/06 - Stranger In Moscow Dual Disc 22/05/06 - Blood On The Dancefloor Dual Disc

Source: HMV / Sony BMG

Troubled superstar Michael Jackson has slammed a newspaper report claiming he has been obtaining prescription drugs illegally. The Sun newspaper also reported yesterday traces of cocaine were found on Jackson's underwear during a police raid and his former aides allege the Thriller singer is taking up to 40 pills a day. The Sun alleged Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon - one of the prosecutors in Jackson's child molestation trial earlier this year - is investigating allegations Jackson is transporting anti-depressants and painkillers from the US to his new home in Bahrain. The publication quoted court papers of a police transcript with former Neverland security guard Chris Carter, who alleged he would pick up prescriptions for Jackson under various fictitious names. In response to the claims, Jackson's lawyer Brent Ayscough says, "Mr Jackson uses an amount of prescription drugs, but does not take anything illegal or obtain anything in an illegal manner." Source:Yahoo...

Digital Classics, the TV company chaired by former Five CEO David Elstein, has finally sold The Michael Jackson Story into the US, in its biggest Stateside deal to date. Sales of the music-themed doc, made for ITV1 in the UK by Digital Classics production arm Iambic, was hinging on Michael Jackson's acquittal on recent child molestation charges. The doc was shot and edited in 2003, before the controversial Martin Bashir documentary, widely regarded as the trigger for the legal action brought against Jackson, was aired. Now Jackson has been acquitted, Digital Classics has confirmed the sale of the doc to the A&E Network for an initial package of rights priced at $200,000. Further rights in the territory are currently under negotiation with a further price to be agreed. Chris Hunt, chief executive of Digital Classics, said: "We are pleased that Iambic has licensed its Michael Jackson documentary for the highest unit price that any division of Digital Classics has achieved to date for a documentary licence in the USA." The Michael Jackson Story (1x90') is a special focusing on the singer's musical history. It was originally pulled from broadcast hours after police raided the singer's Neverland ranch in November 2003. Source: C21 Media

MICHAEL JACKSON's ex-wife DEBBIE ROWE has told an Irish newspaper the THRILLER singer is not the biological father of their children PRINCE MICHAEL JR and PARIS. Rowe, who was married to Jackson for three years between 1996 and 1999, claims her eight-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter were both conceived using anonymous semen brought from a sperm bank. She tells the Sunday World, "Michael knows the truth - that he is not the natural father of Prince Michael Jr and Paris. He has to come clean. "I have no information whatsoever about the identity of the semen donor for either child as such (semen) was obtained anonymously from a semen bank under an agreement of confidentiality." Source:ContactMusic...

MICHAEL JACKSON's Jewish attorney has vowed to defend his pop star client against accusations of anti-Semitism. America's Anti-Defamation League (ADL) demanded the THRILLER singer apologise for allegedly making a series of anti-Semitic comments on a voicemail message, which was aired on US TV show GOOD MORNING AMERICA on Tuesday (23NOV05). The message was purportedly left by Jackson for his former advisor DIETER WIESNER two years ago (03) - Wiesner is currently suing his former employer for fraud and breach and contract. He is seeking $64 million (GBP35.5 million) in damages. But Jackson's lawyer BRIAN OXMAN, who is himself a Jew, insists he has never seen a hint of anti-Semitism in the 15 years he has represented the Jackson family. He tells the New York Daily News, "I have been with the Jackson family for 15 years, and I'm Jewish. I have never once seen anything anti-Semitic from him or from his family." Source;ContactMusic..

MANAMA — World’s top pop singer Michael Jackson, who recently settled down in Manama has donated a huge amount of money, the figure was not disclosed, for building a state-of-the-art mosque near his luxury palace in the Bahraini capital, according to his spokesman. The proposed mosque would be designated for learning the principles and teachings of Islam, as well as teaching of English language, for which high-standard teachers would be brought from United States under his personal supervision, the spokesman said. Jackson did so as a token of appreciation to the Bahraini people, who welcomed him and treated him as if he was one of the citizens of their country. Michael Jackson has moved to reside in Manama after the long-judicial battle, which ended up with being acquitted of the charges of child molestation. The court hearings were followed up by news agencies for many months, and the number of reporters who attended and covered them was estimated at more than 2000 from all countries in the world. It is noteworthy that Germain Jackson, the brother of Michael had embraced Islam at the beginning of 1990s, and he was one of former Jackson Five band and the solo singer Germain had felt his brother Michael has great interest and study of Islamic books, the tolerance of Islam and his dealing with Arab and Muslim personalities since long years. The most prominent among those figures is Prince Al Waleed bin Talal and the Bahraini royal family. Source:Khaleej Times..

Michael Jackson may love the children of the world — but he doesn't like Jews, according to a blockbuster new audiotape that apparently captures the Gloved One waxing anti-Semitic to a former business manager. "They suck," the King of Pop is allegedly heard saying on a voicemail message left the ex-adviser. "They're like leeches . . . I'm so tired of it . . . they start out the most popular person in the world, make a lot of money, big house, cars and everything. End up penniless. It is conspiracy. The Jews do it on purpose." Jackson was also heard on other tapes demanding lackeys get wads of cash for him from accounts the financially troubled troubadour wasn't supposed to be touching — and courier them to him in paper fast-food bags. "You got to get me some fries," is how Jackson is heard describing one of the transactions. "When he wanted large amounts, he would call and say supersize them," said Marc Schaffel, a gay-porn producer and former Jackson confidant now suing the singer for some $3 million, saying he was not paid for work or repaid loans. The tapes were played for the first time in public yesterday on ABC's "Good Morning America" — a day after another one of Jackson's former business managers, Dieter Wiesner, filed a separate, $64 million lawsuit against him claiming fraud and breach of contract. Howard King, the lawyer for both Schaffel and Wiesner, told the show that the Hebrew-hating bit of audio was from a message Jackson left with Wiesner. This isn't the first time Jackson has been caught in an anti-Semitic controversy — his 1996 song "They Don't Care About Us" included the lyrics "Jew me, sue me," and "kike me, kike me." "Good Morning America" said it could not verify the message beyond a doubt — and Jackson's lawyers would not comment for ABC. Source: NY Post

Access Hollywood recently sat down with Court TV's Diane Dimond, as she shared some revelations about the King of Pop. The first one – Michael's high-pitched voice is not his real voice. “Michael Jackson has a big, deep voice,” Dimond revealed. “Somewhere in there, especially if you bring him bad news or if you make him mad, his voice gets very, very deep.” This is just one of the many claims in Diane's new book “Be Careful Who You Love” — the title taken from a line of Michael's song “Billie Jean.” Diane said she witnessed one voice incident in person. “I was there one day when someone asked him about Gloria Allred, the attorney that has sort of dogged him and turned around in one foul swoop and said ‘She can go to hell’ in this big, deep masculine voice.” Michael's close friends Liza Minelli and David Gest agree with Dimond, telling Larry King back in 2002 they also heard Michael's voice change during a phone conversation. But, according to Dimond, his voice isn't the only thing Jackson changes, as she says there might even be some looks we've never seen. “I quote a source in the book who says long ago, and I'm talking back in the early 90s, she was a bedroom maid and in the bedroom closet there were racks of disguises, wigs and false teeth,” Dimond claims. “And there was a tray of prosthetic noses that he would wear, that he had to wear to cover up the surgical scars.” In regards to Diane's book, Michael Jackson's spokesperson told Access Hollywood: “Diane Diamond's assertions warrant no response.” Source: Access Hollywood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Raymone K. Bain November 18, 2005 STATEMENT OF MR. MICHAEL JACKSON REGARDING THE DEATH OF HIS LONGTIME FRIEND MR. BILL BRAY Michael Jackson releases the following statement regarding the passing, this week, of his longtime friend, Mr. Bill Bray: Washington, D.C. I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear and longtime friend, Mr. Bill Bray. As I traveled throughout the world, Mr. Bray was there by my side. Bill Bray will forever have a special place in my heart. I send my love and heartfelt sympathy to the Bray family. Source: Gail Felix (TheJusticeSystem.Net)

Bill Bray, a former Los Angeles police officer who served as Michael Jackson's longtime security chief and became a father figure to the onetime child star, has died at the age of 80. Bray, who began working for the Jackson 5 in the early 1970s and was one of Jackson's closest confidants until his retirement in the mid-1990s, died on Tuesday, the entertainer's publicist, Raymone Bain, told Reuters. "Michael is very, very, very saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Bray, who was a longtime friend and mentor to him and very trusted adviser to him," Bain said. She said Jackson, who has been living in Bahrain since winning an acquittal on child molestation charges in June, had spoken to members of Bray's family by telephone. "Bill was a father figure to all of the boys (in the Jackson 5) in the early days and when Michael struck out on his own he became sort of a surrogate father to Michael," said J. Randy Taraborelli, author of the biography "Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness." "Michael always had this sort of ambivalent relationship with his dad -- bordering on downright anger -- and Bray was the person, back in early days, and up until the early 1990s, who Michael would turn to if he had any kind of personal problem he needed to have solved," Taraborelli said. Bray was at Jackson's side during the height of his sensational career in the 1980s and when a young boy accused the singer of child molestation in 1993. Jackson settled that case out of court and no charges were ever brought. "Everybody around Michael always liked Bill Bray," Taraborelli said. "(Film star and Jackson friend) Elizabeth Taylor thought he was one of the greatest people who had ever been in Michael's life. She was very protective of Michael and always knew that Bill was someone he could rely on." Jackson and Bray had a falling out in the mid-1990s, for reasons that were never made public, and Foxnews.com columnist Roger Friedman, who was first to report Bray's death, wrote on the Web site that they had not seen each other in a decade. But Friedman and Taraborelli said that Bray was still on Jackson's payroll at the time of his death. Source:Yahoo...

Michael Jackson, the king of pop, is in town on a private visit, according to confirmed sources. The superstar singer arrived in Oman yesterday and the visit is said to be of a short duration. This is believed to be Jackson’s first visit to Oman. His appearance at the Seeb International Airport stunned many. The city has been buzzing with excitement ever since with people making calls to media offices to confirm the news. Source: Times Oman

The King of Pop will soon rule his very own island paradise. Michael Jackson has shelled out $1.5 million for a quarter-acre site on oil-rich Bahrain's Amwaj Islands that'll serve as his permanent home, The Post has learned. He chose the Amwaj Islands — a project of three man-made islands that has taken five years to complete — because it's popular with filthy rich second-home residents and equally affluent tourists. It's a secluded area within eyesight of mainland Bahrain, and its international airport and boasts luxury facilities right down to its custom-made street lights. There's also a string of top restaurants, a private hospital, parks, golf courses, canals and private boat moorings and an equestrian center. And there's even a posh private school for his sheltered, veil-wearing kids. He can send them to the islands' International School of Choueifat that is set to open in September 2006. Jackson is expected to move early next year. His purchase actually includes two separate villas on the single parcel, both with spectacular seaside views, sources said. To locals in Bahrain, Jackson's still an international superstar and not a one-time molestation suspect. "It's still the music people know, that's how people here know Michael Jackson," said one resident. Jackson has been in virtual seclusion since mid-June, when a California jury cleared him of sensational kiddie-sex charges. Two weeks after the acquittals, Jackson jetted off to Bahrain as the guest of the royal family. That's where Jackson has been living for several months now, mixing in regular trips to his beloved London. Neverland and the United States in general are in Jackson's rear-view mirror, according to defense lawyer Tom Mesereau and father Joe Jackson. "He's permanently living abroad," said Mesereau, declining to disclose whether or when Jackson would give up U.S. citizenship and seek immigrant status in Bahrain or his second love, Britain. The Gloved One might want to hold onto his U.S. passport, though, because citizenship in Bahrain isn't achieved simply, a government official said. "Citizenship is not easy to get here in Bahrain, even for Michael Jackson. He is not a visitor [and may stay indefinitely] as long as he owns property here," said Rashid bin Abdulrahman al Khalifa, an officer in the Ministry of Information and a second cousin of the crown prince. While Jackson has generally been a reclusive resident of Bahrain, he casually strolls around town — often without his three children. He especially likes the posh Al Seef shopping mall. Not long after he arrived in town, the Gloved One showed up at a Toys "R" Us and went on a spree that would delight any boy, girl or shopkeeper. "I was surprised, yes," said store manager Nixon George, who estimated Jackson's binge totaled $1,800. "But then again, we knew he was in the country, and if he does have any toy needs, then we're the only store that caters to the toys. We knew he'd be here sooner or later." Source: NY Post

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson is seen during a gala dinner marking the end of the Dubai Desert Challenge rally in Dubai, November 14, 2005 REUTERS/Eric Gaillard Source: Yahoo! News

Dubai: A man who was seen in a women's restroom held centre stage for more than three hours at Dubai's Ibn Battuta Mall last evening. The crowds thronging the mall were convinced that they had seen pop icon Michael Jackson. Eyewitnesses said the tall and thin man, dressed in a black cloak and black hat, was spotted at around 7.30pm in the restroom by a woman, who immediately raised the alarm. The alarm sparked chaotic scenes for more than three hours, with the mall's security staff chasing the person, who sought refuge at the Magrudy's bookshop. Police in large numbers quickly descended on the store. By this time, people at the mall were convinced that it was Michael Jackson, prompting even more passers-by to join the throng. Eyewitnesses said the police now appeared to be trying to ensure safe passage for the mystery man. A bystander who said he had managed to speak to the man who had hidden inside a stall said he had replied with a strong American accent. "He said: 'I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.'" A Filipina managing a nearby popcorn stall told Gulf News: "It was definitely Michael Jackson." A security guard at the mall concurred. Another eye-witness told Gulf News the mystery man was wearing gloves, although he was not sure about its colour. Later police disclaimed any knowledge about the incident, and Magrudy's could not be reached for comment. Fans were, however, still convinced they had seen the US pop star in the flesh. But had it really been Michael Jackson in the mall, after all? Source: Gulf News

The much anticipated hurricane relief single from pop superstar Michael Jackson has finally been named.

In a recent interview, recording artist Ciara revealed that the track title is “I Have a Dream”.

Jackson’s spokesperson, Raymone Bain, confirmed earlier this month that the King of Pop had rewritten the song and changed the original title, “From the Bottom of My Heart”.

Ciara, who recently recorded her part of the single, divulged "... it's a very beautiful record. The cool thing is that it has a message behind it and it's for a good cause."

Proceeds from the single will go to the hurricane victims of the gulf coast. The disaster relief is to be provided through the Bill Clinton-George Bush Katrina Fund, the Push-Excel Hurricane Katrina College Relief Fund and the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Source:MJJForum

The CBS News producer who attempted to start a wine label called Jesus Juice while he was covering the Michael Jackson trial is beginning to backtrack after his activities were exposed. After NewsBusters broke the story Sunday, other media outlets picked up our scoop including the Associated Press, TheSmokingGun.com and MSNBC's "Countdown." Since that time, the producer, Bruce Rheins, and his wife, Dawn Westlake, have removed all Jesus Juice material from their respective web sites. The New York Daily News spoke to Rheins yesterday, he disingenuously told the paper he never intended to make money from the offensive wine label: "My wife and I are hobby winemakers. We made a few bottles for friends. We never wanted to sell it. We only trademarked it because we didn't want other people to try to make money off it. "I apologize to anybody who is offended by this. It was an irreverent idea that, in hindsight, I would discard." That explanation rings a little hollow, however, considering that the Los Angeles-based duo were selling merchandise bearing the wine's logo, a hybrid picture of a Christ figure sporting Jackson-esque clothing, through the web site CafePress.com. Some of the proffered items included wall clocks, mugs, and t-shirts. Since we broke the story, Westlake (who operates the CafePress.com virtual store) has removed all Jesus Juice items from her online offerings. NewsBusters has preserved two of the pages, however. Click here to see the JJ clock, here to see the JJ t-shirt and here to see Rheins posing with a JJ mug and t-shirt. Rheins's spin also is contradicted by a diary entry his wife posted on her personal site this past July: "We continued with our chores…canning 10 quarts of peach preserves from our overly productive peach tree, making merlot (from scratch…since, yes, we bought the Jesus Juice trademark…you think I’m joking? I’m not!)" Later in the same entry, Westlake describes a trip to Solvang, California, a small town with a number of wineries. After a little description, she regrets having to leave: "All too soon, it was time to leave. But, I'll be back! Maybe if Jesus Juice takes off, to buy property!! [sic]" Aside from the above, however, Rheins's statement makes absolutely no sense. He and Westlake spent the money and time to file a trademark for Jesus Juice, a label which ridicules both Jackson and Christianity, all because they didn't want someone else to make money? Far more likely of an outcome is that Rheins and Westlake tried to get a buyer for the trademark (which he registered while covering the Jackson trial) and were unsuccessful. Source: News Busters

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson is close to completing his charity single for Hurricane Katrina relief and hopes to release the song sometime this month, his spokeswoman said Thursday. From his new base in the Middle East, Jackson has been working through global satellite and phone connections with the 12 recording artists who are participating, spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain told The Associated Press. "All that remains is for two or three more artists to do their tracks, and Michael will then add his vocals," Bain said in a phone interview. "He is now on the fast track, and we're happy with the progress." Last week, Jackson coordinated recording sessions with artists who were visiting Los Angeles for the Black Entertainment Television awards and went to studios to record their parts. Meredith O'Sullivan, a spokeswoman for rapper Snoop Dogg, and Sonia Muckle, who represents singer R. Kelly, said those artists have participated in the recording sessions. Jackson is the writer and producer of the track, Bain said. She added that Jackson has rewritten the song several times and is changing the title from the original, "From the Bottom of My Heart," to a new, as yet undisclosed title. Jackson found he did not need as many artists to participate as originally planned, she said. The final tally will be about 12, she said. Jackson's plan is to provide disaster aid through three funds: the Bill Clinton-George Bush Katrina Fund, the Push-Excel Hurricane Katrina College Relief Fund and a disaster fund set up by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences. Source:AP..

Rosa Parks' singular and historic act of civil disobedience a half-century ago had repercussions that are still being felt today. So perhaps it was fitting that she got a long goodbye. Funeral services honoring Parks lasted seven hours Wednesday, stretching from late morning into the early darkness. It was a celebration of her life rather than a mourning of her passing. More than three dozen politicians and business and religious leaders shared memories of the woman credited with giving birth to the modern civil rights movement. Parks, 92, died Oct. 24, and the nation has been paying tribute ever since. Memorials began last week when her body was brought to Montgomery, Ala., and Washington, D.C., so she could be honored for her contribution to a civil rights struggle that changed a nation. Amongst those who attended, was the King Of Pop Michael Jackson, who sat in the family area of the church. Source:USA Today..

Less than three weeks after unveiling its video iPod, Apple Computer has sold 1 million videos that play on the portable device. Top downloads from the company's iTunes online service include music videos from Michael Jackson and Kanye West, Pixar's "For the Birds,"and episodes of ABC television shows "Lost"and "Desperate Housewives,"Apple said yesterday in a statement. The sales demonstrate demand for the video service and dispel concern that people wouldn't want to watch programs on the iPod's 2.5-inch color screen. "Selling 1 million videos in less than 20 days strongly suggests there is a market for legal downloads,"Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, said in a statement. "Our next challenge is to broaden our content offerings." The videos, priced at $1.99 each, can also be played on computers running iTunes software. Apple debuted the video iPod, which costs as much as $399, on Oct. 12. While sales continue to sore, Michael Jackson remains the number one video download with the complete Thriller video. Source: NY Daily News / MJSTAR

Michael Jackson's Thriller Video is now top of the itunes video charts claiming the number one spot in the U.S. and the U.K. Source: Itunes

'Thriller' (Michael Jackson) It was wildly popular in 1982, and it's wildly popular again, hovering around No. 2 on the iTunes Most Popular list. "Thriller" works well on the small screen for three reasons: it's loaded with compelling close-ups, you can't take your eyes off the dancing, and there's actual plot, dialogue and characters. At nearly 14 minutes long, "Thriller" may be the closest thing to a full-length movie you'll find for sale on iTunes. You certainly get your money's worth. Source: NY Times

Gospel music rocked the rafters Sunday as the mayor and police chief of Los Angeles joined hundreds of members of a black church to honor Michael Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr., as "a champion of justice." Mesereau, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Police Chief Bill Bratton swayed and clapped as a band played and a choir of young people sang religious songs in a rock tempo. They also presented a medeley of upbeat numbers in praise of America. "We are here to honor a man who is setting an example for all of us," the mayor told the packed chapel at Brookins Community African Methodist Church. He noted that Mesereau is "a white man who has for many years now marched with the mothers of Watts against gang violence. He co-founded a legal clinic for the indigent." He noted that Mesereau also travels to Alabama every year to defend a death penalty case free of charge. "Anytime I get the opportunity to acknowledge those among us willing to reach out as Tom has, I'm truly honored," said the mayor, who presented Mesereau with a city proclamation. The pastor of Brookins, Rev. Dr. Frederick O. Murph, said, "When I look at Tom I see a rainbow. I think of Tom as a brother." The Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray, recently retired pastor of the First AME Church of Los Angeles and an icon of the black community, remembered separate occasions when Mesereau brought Jackson and former client Robert Blake to church with him. With Sunday's service focusing on a reading from Daniel, Murray described Mesereau as "an attorney not intimidated in the lion's den." "You saw him with Michael Jackson doing the impossible," said Murray. The remark brought sustained applause. Also attending the service was Carl Douglas, a member of the O.J. Simpson defense team, and Susan Yu, one of the lawyers who helped Mesereau defend Jackson. Bratton said outside the church that he and his wife, attorney and TV personality Ricki Kleiman, met Mesereau several years ago and became familiar with his work. "This is a city of many neighborhoods," said Bratton. "It's important to have people like Tom who reach out beyond their own neighborhood." Mesereau told the group: "I am so touched, so honored and so privileged. I thank all of you very much." Source: Associated Press

While The Jackson family is known for being devout Jehovah's Witnesses, they apparently leaned on "The First Lady of Gospel" Shirley Caesar's Christian music to help them cope while brother Michael was on trial for child molestation. Jackson's younger sibling Janet Jackson was moved to tears upon meeting Caesar at the women's luncheon at the Santa Barbara, Calif. estate of Oprah Winfrey during her Legends Weekend. "She walked over and she stood by me and she was crying and she said to me, 'I grew up Jehovah's Witness, and we were not allowed to listen to your gospel music. But when I got out of the nest, I was able to listen to not only your gospel music but other gospel singers.' She said, 'It's your songs that have been carrying us through this storm with my brother,'" Caesar shared about Janet during a luncheon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to kick off her new record label Shu-Bel Records. Following her meeting with Janet, the veteran gospel singer says she immediately began to solicit prayers for the Jackson family during concert dates up until the trial. Caesar was in the studio recording when she got the news of M.J.'s acquittal. "Honey, I left the mic, and I walked into the room and began to give God glory! I gave God praise! You've got to understand that there are a lot of people who want to become instant millionaires at anybody else's expense," she concluded. Source: Black Voices

Michael Jackson has spent the past two nights at Los Angeles' Conway Studios overseeing recording of a single to benefit victims of the recent hurricanes, Billboard.com has learned. Although the song was originally titled "From the Bottom of My Heart," Jackson spokesperson Raymone Bain says the artist will unveil a new name for the track in the coming days. Bain says that since early this month, Jackson "was in London tweaking the music as well as putting the finishing touches on it before sending it out to various artists" who he wanted to contribute. However, Jackson wound up rewriting the song, and as such, "he didn't need as many artists as he originally had planned for" when it came time to record. Source: Billboard

British pop star JAMES BOURNE has been harassed and abused in the street since reports he spent the night with controversial pop star MICHAEL JACKSON in London. The pair formed a friendship after Jackson invited former BUSTED star Bourne's new band to perform on his Hurricane Katrina charity single. And the pop superstar reportedly invited Bourne, 22, to join him at his suite at swanky London hotel The Dorchester while he was in the British capital earlier this month (OCT05). Bourne refuses to confirm whether he accepted the offer, but admits he is now pals with Jackson - and that it has turned him into a social outcast among members of the public who remain sceptical about the superstar, despite his acquittal on child molestation charges earlier this year (JUN05). Bourne tells British magazine New!, "I have been spat at and pelted with bottles at gigs. It would seem people think there is something wrong with being Michael's friend. "He asked us to be on his Hurricane Katrina charity single and told all the band that we could go and visit him at the Neverland ranch. I think it's great. "Some of the band think it's bad for our image, but I think he's a hugely influential man in music." Source: Contact Music

The un-released 23-line manuscript is written in pencil on plain note paper. It begins Crack Kills, You Mother, You Father, You Sister, Your Little Brother... The back of the page consists of the first words to two verses of an unknown song he was working on, along with a doodle of a face. The main manuscript is matted with a copy of its reverse (the back of the frame is open allowing the original reverse to be seen), and a signed photograph of the star.

Overall measurements approx. 19 x 30 inch (48 x 76 cm), paper measures approx. 5 x 8 inch (13 x 20 cm).

Place your bid for 'Crack Kills':

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/s/lot-1269122.html

Source:mjstar...

Michael Jackson's attorney said Thursday the pop singer has made the Middle Eastern nation of Bahrain, not Neverland ranch, his permanent home. Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. declined to comment on local speculation that Jackson planned to sell Neverland ranch, but said the singer is very happy in his new home. "He's looking much better. He's with his children, and he's moving on in life," Mesereau said. "He's living permanently in Bahrain. He has friends there who have been very loyal and helpful to him in a difficult period of his life." Jackson spent four months earlier this year in a Santa Maria courtroom before a jury acquitted him in June of charges that included sexually abusing a young recovering cancer patient. Within weeks, the singer traveled to Bahrain, where he has been a guest of the royal family. He has been a houseguest of Sheik Salman ibn Hamed Khalifa, the crown prince of Bahrain, staying in a palace in the desert kingdom. The singer's brother, Jermaine Jackson, reportedly has close ties with Bahrain's royal circle, earlier this year announcing plans to unveil a charity theme song written by a son of the nation's king. As for the King of Pop, he appears to have won a warm reception in the Persian Gulf. In August, according to press reports, Jackson visited the Gulf region's trade and tourism hub of Dubai, where he hob-knobbed with friends and local celebrities. Mesereau said he saw Jackson a few weeks ago in London, where the singer is reportedly working on a charity single to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "He looks really well," Mesereau said of the singer, whose already slight frame became even more brittle-looking during his trial. In the Santa Ynez Valley, Jackson's departure has met with a decidedly mixed reaction. Some will miss his largesse, but others are glad to see the crowds, the media and the weirdness go. Felicia Cody, a gallery owner in Los Olivos, said she will miss the entertainer coming in to buy art, and his friendship. "He's definitely going to be missed, no question about it. He's a beautiful man," she said. "He's an artist, and he understands the life of an artist." An employee of a nearby school would only say that "the ranch has always been very good to us." Others were all but saying "good riddance," noting that Jackson's ranch had become a media circus after he was charged with molestation in 2003. "It's fine by me. It takes the pressure and the spotlight off the community," said former Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Thomas, a close associate of county Dist. Atty. Thomas Sneddon, the man who prosecuted Jackson. "This is a quiet, nice little town. Anything that brings less attention to the community, all the better." Terri Stricklan, manager of the Hitching Post, a steakhouse that was frequented by Mesereau and Sneddon as well as media and trial witnesses, said she wouldn't be sorry to see the singer go. "For many years he's gotten better support outside of this country, so it doesn't surprise me in the least," Stricklan said. "There's people like myself who when we were young were fans of his, but that's all changed in the last 15 years for a lot of people. He just made a spectacle of himself." Bill Etling, a Los Olivos real estate broker, used to haul hay to the ranch long before Jackson bought it. He has estimated that the ranch could fetch from $50 million to $100 million if it were ever sold. Etling said the singer's legal problems turned him into a divisive figure. "We have a lot of celebrities here. They're great people, and with the exception of Michael Jackson, all are down to earth," Etling said. "They'll go to the hardware store by themselves, and not with some guy holding an umbrella for them" and wearing a surgical mask. The question of Jackson's permanent residence cropped up this week after he received a jury summons to appear in a Santa Maria courthouse on Wednesday, said Santa Barbara County court spokesman Gary Blair. A Jackson attorney, Robert Sanger, called court officials to tell them the 47-year-old entertainer would not be able to serve because he would no longer be living at Neverland, Blair said. Jackson purchased Neverland, formerly a cattle ranch, in Santa Ynez for about $17 million in 1988 and turned it into a theme park with carnival rides and a private zoo. The 4-square-mile ranch also included a steam engine the singer rode along a 1 1/2 -mile track. Thousands of underprivileged children have been welcomed to see the animals, hop aboard rides in Jackson's private amusement park and picnic on the ample grounds. But during his trial, prosecutors alleged that the entertainer molested numerous children there over the years, in some cases holding them hostage within Neverland's gates. They charged that Jackson used the ranch's amusement park, animals and toys to lure children, who he would then abuse. There has been much speculation in the Los Olivos area about whether Jackson is trying to sell Neverland to pay off mounting legal bills. But local real estate agents said they have not heard that it's on the market. Neverland, named for the home of Peter Pan, a favorite character of Jackson's, features a water-pistol range, bumper cars and classic rides like those at state fairs. Some of his supporters expressed doubt that he would ever truly leave Neverland. "I don't ever personally feel he'll sell the ranch," said Cody, the gallery owner. "That's what he told me. But that was before this nightmare." Source: LA Times

Michael Jackson has been summoned back to court - this time as a juror. Jackson received the jury summons at his Neverland Valley Ranch, four months after he was acquitted of child molestation charges. However, the pop star is not expected to show up for jury selection in California. His lawyers have filed paperwork for a deferment based on the fact that he now lives in Bahrain. Santa Barbara jury commissioner Gary Blair said Jackson will likely be excused from serving. "All he has to do is show he has legal residency somewhere else and he'll be exempted," he said. Jackson was in London last week to record a charity single. He was mobbed when he attended a performance of Billy Elliot: The Musical and visited the Madame Tussauds waxworks museum. Source:yahoo news...

Michael Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, said last week that all questions will be answered in short order and skeptics will be proved wrong in response with the delayed Katrina single. She said Jackson flew to London recently, where (between a visit to Madame Tussauds' wax museum and the stage show of "Billy Elliot") the 47-year-old star was in the studio recording for the song. A photo hit the Internet showing the singer in an untucked red shirt, standing before a microphone and perusing sheet music. "When Mr. Jackson has completed this process, he will be sending the music to the artists," Bain said in an e-mail response to Los Angeles Times inquiries about the project status. "The next phase will be scheduling a recording date." Source: LA Times

In Michael Jackson's Sept. 6 announcement, Jackson named the heavyweights he said would be joining him in the new Katrina single "From The Bottom Of My Heart": Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz and eight other acts. A publicist who works with one platinum-selling act on the list said the announcement was met with a ripple of irked surprise. "A lot of the people on that list found out about their commitment when the release came out," the publicist said. As to the status of any participants other than Brown, everyone seems to be in the dark. "Do you know who is going forward with it?" Bobbit asked. "What I have heard is that some of the singers will not be there. I think some of them may have been enthusiastic at the start but that the delays might be a problem. People are busy." Bobbit said he heard that R. Kelly had dropped out. Kelly's manager, Derrel McDavid, would say only that the singer's schedule is in flux and that he is uncertain where the entire project stands. Laura Swanson, senior vice president of publicity for Island Def Jam, the label home of Carey, would only say, "I don't believe Michael's done any recording for his benefit single. At least not that I've heard of." Bain did not answer when asked which artists were expected to join in, nor did she address the suggestion that some artists had been caught off guard by the use of their names. She did e-mail: "The project is continuing on a fast track as it has been less than a month since Mr. Jackson announced his plans regarding his Katrina Relief effort. . . . Mr. Jackson looks forward to the participation of the artists whose goals and objectives are the same as his." Originally, Bain said digital technology would make it easy for stars to send in their vocal contributions from wherever they were, but Bobbit said he'd heard the plan was to assemble everyone on a soundstage in New York, London or Los Angeles. "Mr. Brown will be there, wherever it is," Bobbit added. Source: LA Times

The King Of Pop has done it once again. With the release of the new apple itunes, the King Of Pop dominates both the US and UK itunes charts. In the UK, Michael Jackson storms the charts at No.1 with the complete Thriller video. Smooth Criminal at No.8, and Billie Jean at No.19. In the US Thriller has entered the charts at No.2, meanwhile Smooth Criminal comes in at No.18. Source: Itunes

It seems that being the King of Pop is no guarantee that you can crash any party in town. When Michael Jackson made an appearance at London's Hard Rock Cafe, he was simply turned away. Jackson, in London to promote a Hurricane Katrina charity single, heard about the restaurant's re-launch party and an operation burger-style mission ensued. A source told the Daily Mirror: "(Jacksons publicist) approved it and sent a message back to Michael's entourage to start the next stage... His security and his management arrived at the restaurant at 10.30 and also gave the thumbs up. They even found a secret back door for him." But, the Beat It singer missed his 11.15 ETA and staff said the place was simply too packed. Poor Michael missed out on schmoozing with the likes of Lord Brocket, Liberty X and Kelly Osbourne... A restaurant spokesman said: "It was just too much of a security risk. There was no diva-style tantrum though." The star's publicist commented: "Michael was disappointed he could not attend the party as he likes Hard Rock Cafes. He'd like to come down to the restaurant before he leaves the UK." Source: Sky News

Looks like Michael Jackson, busy polishing his image with his work on a charity single for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, may have made another publicity misstep. While in London with his children, Jackson caught a performance of Elton John's musical "Billy Elliot" on Saturday. So taken was the King of Pop with the cast - a source told the 3am Girls of London's Daily Mirror, that he invited the whole group back to his hotel room for a party. "Michael thought the production was amazing," the spy said. "He asked the actors to come and join him in the Dorchester hotel for a post-show celebration." Jackson's rep, Raymone Bain, told us nothing could be further from the truth. "He went to the matinee with a family friend and his two kids. …He didn't even talk to the cast, because of security reasons, because there were about 5,000 people who had gathered outside. As a result of that, he left right away." Source: NY Daily

Michael's friend and business partner, Raju Patel, sadly died yesterday aged 45. Patel was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and was hospitalised a fortnight ago before passing away yesterday morning according to mid-day.com. "I am shocked and grieved to hear about Patel who was a dear friend and my business partner too," Michael said. The two friends were said to have been working on a multi-star film titled Hanuman which included the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Jackie Chan. Michael and Patel also set up the movie company Neverland Pictures in 2002, investing around $15-$20 million. Patel started his Hollywood career by launching Tom Hanks in 1984's The Bachelor Party, and also introduced Angelina Jolie in 1993's Cyborg 2. He also produced the Jungle Book and Adventures of Pinocchio films. Source:MJNI...

We know that Def Jam took Mariah on and we have to applaud LA Reid for that. Now, will he do the same for one Michael Jackson? That's what I am hearing might be going down. This would be great! Kanye produces it, Jay markets it and LA approves the final product. We already have heard that MiJac might return as a womanizer in image. He did that last time in the Chris Tucker video too, so it's not inconceivable. Still, that wouldn't be a good look for Sony, which once housed both 50 Cent and Mariah. Watch, Mike come to Def Jam and blow up! Source: AllHipHop

MICHAEL Jackson enjoyed his night out at Billy Elliot: The Musical so much that he invited the whole cast to join him afterwards in his hotel for a drink. The singer, who's in London to record a charity single for victims of Hurricane Katrina, caught the smash-hit show on Saturday night. A source close to Jackson reveals: "Michael thought the production was amazing. He asked the actors to come and join him in the Dorchester hotel for a post-show celebration." Source: The Mirror

Michael Jackson took in another tourist attraction in London today, after seeing the musical Billy Elliot yesterday. He visited the world-famous waxwork museam Madame Tussaud's, which has in the past created many lifelike figures of Michael himself as well as many other celebrities. Michael's children were present and and a large number of staff waited inside the museam to meet them according to The Scotsman. Source:MJNI...

Singer Michael Jackson has been seen in public for the first time since being cleared of child abuse charges in June.The star attended the Billy Elliot musical on Saturday in London's West End and was besieged by fans on Friday at a recording studio in the city.

Jackson is believed to be recording a single for the American victims of Hurricane Katrina.His publicist said the UK visit was his first public outing. He has been in Dubai since the trial in California.The singer arrived in a people carrier 15 minutes late for the matinee performance of the musical.The Billy Elliot musical tells the tale of a boy growing up in a tough mining town in the north of England who wants to be ballet dancer.Sir Elton John has provided music for the stage version of the successful film. Source: BBC

Michael Jackson was mobbed by fans yesterday as he came out of hiding to make his first public appearance in the UK since he was cleared of child molestation charges. Jackson was among the audience for the musical Billy Elliot in the London's Victoria Palace theatre in the West End, sitting at the back in the stalls with his children. During the interval he mingled with members of the audience, chatting and signing autographs. But chaotic scenes followed as Jackson left the theatre and greeted screaming fans. He shook hands and gave his typical wave and victory sign. But many broke through a barrier to surround his waiting blue people-carrier to get close to their idol. Officers had to fend them off so Jackson could get away. Earlier, the 47-year-old star had turned up at the theatre 15 minutes after the show's scheduled start after leaving the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane. Security staff forced a path for him through a scrum of fans and photographers to the building's front door, but he fell to the ground in the melee. Throughout the show, hundreds of his admirers waited outside brandishing posters of support and chanting his name. Phillip Goldstone, 22, from Walthamstow, east London, said: "We were outside his hotel and there was a rumour that he was coming here, so we came down." Inside the theatre, Gary Dean, 43, from Ramsgate, sat three rows in front of Jackson during the performance. He said: "We knew at the interval he was there and there was some clapping. Nobody really knew before that because the lights had gone down by the time he came in." Roxanne Wisenberg, 47, from San Diego, was one of those people to meet the singer during the interval. "He talked to us saying hello and there were a lot of people around him," she said. Source: Sunday Times

Michael Jackson fell outside a London theater as he was trying to make his way through hundreds of fans who had shown up for a glimpse of the singer. Security staff forced a path for Jackson through the crowd so he could reach the front door. But the singer fell to the ground in the commotion. Jackson's children accompanied him to the show but had their faces covered by clothing as they entered the theater. During intermission, Jackson mingled with other spectators, chatting and signing autographs. Source: Associated Press

Michael Jackson has made his first public appearance since being cleared of child abuse charges. He posed for photos and signed autograph's earlier at London's Dorchester Hotel. The superstar is in the UK to record the charity song, From The Bottom Of My Heart for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Mike Hollingsworth, who is organising a charity ball in the hotel, said he saw Jackson in the reception area. He said: "He was surrounded by a large group of people but it was unmistakably him. He spent several minutes meeting people and posing for photos. "He kept trying to cover his face but from what I could see he looked well." Source: ITV

The King of Pop Michael Jackson is currently in the UK recording "From The Bottom Of My Heart" a charity song for the victims of the Katrina Hurricane. Angry and chaotic scenes erupted when the King of Pop left the Dorchester hotel to head to the Recording Studios. Source:MJSTAR..

The King Of Pop Michael Jackson has landed in the UK to record "From The Bottom Of My Heart" a support song for the victims of Katrina. His stay at the Dorchester hotel has sparked Jackson fans to book rooms at the elegant London hotel. Jackson has so far not made any public appearances, but his entourage have been spotted in and about the Dorchester. Source:MJSTAR..

The former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney says he will never buy back the rights to his songs with the Beatles from Michael Jackson. According to contactmusic.com, he says he hates having to pay for songs he himself wrote. Michael Jackson supposedly bought the songs behind McCartney's back in 1985. McCartney seems to be reluctant to pay for those songs since the money will be reverted back to him anyway. He says: "Bono rang me and said, 'Did you hear? He's selling the songs. You should buy them!' Everyone else thinks I should too. But the thing is, I do get some cash from the publishing already. And in a few years more of the rights will be automatically be reverting to me. The only annoying thing is when I tour America I have to pay to play some of my own songs." Source: Contact Music

MICHAEL, JOEL, THE PRINCE & L.A.: Showbiz newshound Roger Friedman of FoxNews.com has sniffed out a secret pow-wow at London’s Dorchester Hotel that included Michael Jackson, his homie the Prince of Bahrain, Atlanta attorney Joel Katz and IDJ chief L.A. Reid. Writes Friedman: “My sources say that Katz has come to represent the Prince in a deal that would fund a record label for Jackson at Island Def Jam’s parent, Universal Music Group. Katz is not new to the Jackson picture. I’m told he represented Jackson’s brother Jermaine for many years in the mid-'80s... Coincidentally—that is, if you believe in coincidences—Katz represents Reid as well (Jackson probably does not know this. Maybe someone at the Dorchester can show him this column). It was Katz who negotiated Reid’s deal that made him head of Arista Records in 2000. He also got him out of that deal and made the current one at Universal.” (10/6a) THE EMANCIPATION OF Jackson: The above is intriguing stuff, although it was actually Allen Grubman who made Reid's current deal at IDJ. Katz did indeed rep Reid when the latter was living in Atlanta running LaFace, and they remain good friends. It should also be noted that John Branca continues to function as Jackson's music biz attorney. The most intriguing part is this: If Jackson made a deal with IDJ and actually listened to Reid about the making of his next record, he could conceivably have hits again—look what this ace A&R man did for Mariah Carey and her prolonged slump. Reid gets the urban/pop world as well as anybody ever has, and this dialed-in dude could be the answer to Jackson’s career problems. Source: Hits Daily Double

LA Toya Jackson is looking for a British family to move in with for a new documentary — but so far no one wants her. Michael Jackson’s big sister is supposed to dish out advice to a family in crisis in the Five show. But no Brits have applied to have La Toya as a guest. The show is to be screened early next year. At least one member of the chosen family has to be a big fan of the Jacksons. Source: The Sun